After the Gemorah in Mesechta Shabbos details the miracle of Chanukah, it mentions that the next year they established those days as Yomim Tovim. Why did Chazal wait until the next year to designate Chanukah as a Yom Tov?
In general, after people suffer persecution and various difficulties, especially for a significant amount of time, it may take years of rehabilitation to overcome the trauma and return to a life of a semblance of normalcy. The persecution and untold hardship suffered at the hands of the Greeks and the Misyavnim- the Hellenists- was immense and decades long. The fact that within a year’s time they were able to function as a community and gather as a nation to innovate a new holiday is testimony to their extraordinary resilience. Their triumph against their immense challenges and their perseverance was an unprecedented accomplishment.
In general, the fortitude and strength that the Yidden displayed in the face of utter devastation is noteworthy. Upon entering the Bais Hamikdosh after its defilement and destruction, all hope should have been lost. They were battle-weary from engaging in a brutal campaign against the mighty Greek army. The Bais Hamikdosh was riddled with vestiges of pagan worship and an assortment of idols and idolatrous symbols. They could have thrown up their hands, despairing of ever recovering from this total devastation. Instead, they immediately embarked on a tedious search for pure oil and forged ahead to restore their former glory and rejuvenate the avodah of the Bais Hamikdosh. After finally locating the lone flask of oil that did not even suffice for more than one day, they did not despair. In place of utter disappointment, they forged ahead enthusiastically although it was quite apparent that the amount of oil would not suffice for a second lighting. This was stark testimony to their emunah even when all seemed hopeless.
In Parshas Vayeshev we find the source of where this inner strength was inculcated into the psyche of Klal Yisroel for generations. Yaakov Avinu saw that there was grain in Mitzrayim. Rashi comments that the word ‘grain’ stems from the same word that is used for ‘hope’. Rashi points out that the meaning of Yaakov’s seeing grain represented a nevua in which he saw hope for reuniting with his long-lost son, Yosef. That hope was to emanate from Mitzrayim. Yaakov, still in the throes of agony on the loss of his beloved Yosef, was able to see that yeshua awaited him even when to others all would have seemed utterly hopeless. Yaakov perceived the Eibershter’s presence no matter the situation. The Chashmonaim studied the sugya of Yaakov thoroughly and understood that Hashem can and will bring salvation even when all seems lost. They realized that it may come in small, and even insignificant, doses. This emuna further empowered them to reignite the avoda, knowing that they were enjoying a heavenly smile. | 
No comments:
Post a Comment